The timing of King Charles’s statement regarding his planned prostate surgery may have been put out in order to protect Princess Kate as she recovers from surgery on her abdomen, an expert has said.
Kensington Palace released a statement last Wednesday saying that the Princess of Wales was recuperating in hospital following a planned procedure and would spend up to two weeks as an inpatient before returning home to Windsor.
The nature of her condition was not specified, with the Palace only saying it was non-cancerous, and she is not expected to be back on royal duties until later in the spring.
Less than two hours later a statement about the King’s health was also published online, revealing more explicitly that he would be undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate.
His Majesty has been more forthcoming about his condition in order to raise awareness and encourage men to get their symptoms checked out, however there may be another reason behind the timing of the announcement and his frankness.
It is unusual for the Firm to be so upfront about their medical conditions, with royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop describing the announcement about his enlarged prostate as “unprecedented and also canny”.
She told The Mirror: “Buckingham Palace doesn’t do spontaneity; the release of a statement containing private matters about the King’s health immediately after news of the Princess of Wales’ major abdominal surgery was deliberate.
“The timing deflected from his daughter-in-law’s major operation, likewise, the private detail concerning his prostate gave the public something else to think about.”
She added: “But beyond that obvious strategy, I believe there was something else at play. By sharing a slice of the personal, Charles’s statement served to underline the absence of any real detail concerning Kate’s condition.
“The protective King may as well have said ‘Here, have some information on me, but keep your prying eyes away from my daughter-in-law.’
“Read side-by-side the statements are a powerful example of well-coordinated PR. Here was a modern, public service Royal Family, but one with very clear boundaries.”
Little is known about Kate’s condition, other than the surgery was successful and she is currently an inpatient at The London Clinic in Marylebone, where Prince William has already been to visit her.
King Charles meanwhile has returned from Scotland to Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has been seen driving around the estate ahead of his admission to hospital.
Queen Camilla attended a solo engagement in Swindon yesterday for the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, where she reassured wellwishers that her husband was doing well.